BMW 330e: 9 things you didn’t know

By Ryan Lewis, 09 May 2016Car Reviews

The BMW 330e is a plug-in hybrid 3 Series that brings high end electric technology from the BMW i3 and i8 to the most popular BMW range. Here are a few of its secrets.

1. The 330e is the third most powerful plug-in hybrid on sale in Australia. Two other BMWs sit above it on the podium – the BMW X5 40e and i8.

2. Because the 330e is almost silent when driving in electric-only mode, BMW equips it with an Acoustic Protection Pack that emits a low level noise at speeds under 30km/h to alert pedestrians of a nearby car.

3. Engineers from BMW’s i division – responsible for halo electric vehicles BMW i3 and i8 – worked on the 330e’s battery technology. The energy pack is made up of 80 battery cells split across five modules. Total storable energy is 7.6kWh

4. BMW says the 330e’s boot can fit two golf bags with room to spare despite being 110 litres smaller than the rest of the 3 Series range.

5. There are three drive modes for managing the 330e’s electric power usage; Auto eDrive balances between electricity and internal combustion, Max eDrive favours electric power as much as possible, and Save Battery uses the petrol engine exclusively, leaving electric power for city driving later in a journey.

6. Features specific to the 330e include badges on the C pillar and bootlid, a charging point behind the front passenger side wheel, eDrive door sill trims, eDrive instrument cluster and info display, and eDrive button.

7. BMW has a smartphone app for its electrified cars called ConnectedDrive. It allows owners to monitor battery range, find charging stations and precondition the cabin by starting the climate control remotely before getting inside.

8. Charging the 330e can be done at home, work, or at any of the 262 public charging stations in Australia, 256 of which are free. Plans exist to expand the network to 950 by 2020.